A literature review on driving factors and contextual events influencing occupants' behaviours in buildings

Publication date: June 2017
Source:Building and Environment, Volume 118
Author(s): Francesca Stazi, Federica Naspi, Marco D'Orazio
The present paper illustrates the results of a literature review on occupants' behaviours, assessing the actions' drivers. There is no general agreement about the reasons people interact with building systems or the driving factors that trigger their decisions. Even if lot of researchers focus on this target, they usually analyse one or two actions, while no survey makes a comprehensive investigation. Windows, lights, blinds, air-conditioning, thermostat, fans and doors patterns are investigated in different building uses (offices, houses and schools). The analysis is split in three parts: 1) evaluating the influence of environmental parameters 2) and time-related events (e.g. arrivals and departures) and 3) describing the variables adopted in behavioural models. The results suggest that not only environmental factors play a key role in the use of building systems but also contextual factors, as well as routine and habits, largely affect occupants' behaviours. Behavioural models are becoming more and more complex and comprehensive to better reproduce the human component. Considering the principal driving factors inside the behavioural models would bring a double benefit: improving the results of building simulation programs and assisting designers during the project of energy-saving and comfortable buildings.